The Midnight Sun Marathon

If you're looking for a marathon with a difference the Midnight Sun marathon is for you

Imagine finishing a marathon early in the morning, at the same time people are out shopping and while others are leaving nightclubs. And when it's still daylight. Welcome to the Midnight Sun Marathon, Tromso, Norway, where that happens and no one is remotely surprised. It's a truly unique event and one you need to add to your bucket list now.

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Tromso

Tromso, known as the Gateway to the Arctic, is a small town of around 70,000 people, 217 miles above the Arctic Circle. It is often called Paris of the North for its year round cultural life and historically-rich city centre. The city is situated on the island of Tromsøya, surrounded by fjords and mountains. making it an ideal base for exploring the Arctic wilderness and experiencing the region's natural wonders, including the midnight sun. From mid May to late July,where the sun does not set at night. The opposite happens in the weeks either side of late December, when the sun does not rise and the area is permanently shrouded in darkness.

Although this area has been inhabited by Norse and Sami settlements since the last Ice Age, Tromsø wasn’t officially founded until 1794. In the 1800’s it was an important Arctic hunting and maritime centre and by the early 1900’s it was the starting point for several Arctic expeditions. It's now a hub for scientific research, with a strong focus on the Arctic environment and climate change. It played a crucial role as a base for Arctic expeditions in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Famous Norwegian explorers like Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen were regular visitors to Tromsø. It's now home to the Norwegian Polar Institute

One of the most famous buildings in the north of Norway is Tromso's Arctic Cathedral. This iconic architecture has stood on the waterfront of Tromsdalen facing the city since 1965. One of the best views of the city and surrounds, including breathtaking fjords, is from Storsteinen mountain ledge and it's easy to get there thanks to the Fjellheisen cable car. Also worth a visit is the world's northernmost botanical garden, a short walk from the university. Unsurprisingly, it is an Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden with Arctic and alpine plants from across the northern hemisphere.

Set right in the middle of the “aurora zone,” the Tromso area is ranked among the best places to observe the northern lights in the night sky. The best time to view this remarkable phenomenon is between late November and late January, when the sun stays below the horizon, so you'll have to come back again, after the race.

History of the Midnight Sun Marathon

Midnight Sun Marathon was founded in 1989 and the first event was arranged in 1990. Their aim is to contribute economically to sports and charities. The organization encourages everyone to run, whatever their age, capability and personal goals. They also give grants to sporting talent in Northern Norway each year.

Race Organiser

The event is owned and operated by the Midnight Sun Marathon company and the race director since 1996 is Nils Hætta. He is Sami and from Kautokeino in Finnmark, Northern Norway. He was part of the Lillehammer 1994 Olympics team and has a lifetime of experience arranging sporting events.

When is the Midnight Sun Marathon?

The race is held annually in June

Distances

There are five different distances to choose from: Marathon (42,2km), Mizuno Half Marathon (21,1km), Coop Mila (10km), iTromsø Mini-marathon (5km) and SNN Kids Race (500m).

Is there an expo?

There is a small expo in the centre of Tromso, where numbers need to be collected. It's on Friday, Saturday and on race day up to 1pm.

How many runners?

6000 across all distances

The course

Have you ever started a marathon at 8.30 pm or half at 10.30pm? Well you will do here.

The start and finish are in the city centre. It's organised but relaxed. After 2k runners cross the Tromsø Bridge, one of the most recognized sights in Tromsø. The 3,399-foot (1,036 meters) long bridge crosses the Tromsøysundet Strait connecting the mainland to the island of Tromsøya. It opened in 1960 and at the time it was the first cantilever bridge in Norway.

The Arctic Cathedral, Tromso's most famous landmark is at the end of the bridge, visible from the centre of the town, set against the background of the 1238 metre Tromsdalstinden peak. Its formal name is the “Tromsdalen Church”, but because of its striking shape and dramatic architecture, it became known as The Arctic Cathedral, as soon as it was opened. Check out the chandeliers; made of Czech crystal and inspired by icicles.

Once over the bridge it's an out and back first 20km, south and then north to the 10km turning point and from there back into Tromso. There are aid stations approximately every 5 kms where you can get water, Maxim sports drink and bananas. The scenery here in Tromsøya is breathtaking and although there are few spectators, local residents are in their gardens shouting support. It's a surreal experience and one not to be missed. At 20K its back across the bridge, onto the 'mainland' and south to the 30km point before returning the same way. The scenery here is the same as on Tromsøya; barren, windswept but fascinating. It's an endless summer and everyone out is celebrating the light. Even better; there are no hills of significance. At 40km it's back over the bridge and one of the most fascinating runs to a finish line anywhere in the world. The city is bustling with a unique combination of spectators, nightclub goers and shoppers and they're all cheering as you run down the home straight on Mainstreet Storgata in the early hours of the morning, in broad daylight!

The Half Marathon course follows the same route as the last 21km of the marathon and the 10km goes from the city centre, around the southern tip of the island and returns back to the city centre to the finish in the same place as the full and the half.

What's unique?

Everything! Where else do you start an event so late and finish so early and all in daylight! It's an intriguing experience.

Do charities benefit?

There is no official charity programme although the organisers do support local charities involved in the event.

Our verdict

Definitely one you've got to do. It's really well organised and logistically it's really easy. Everything is straightforward and the scenery is stunning. It's not super busy so you can run at your own pace from start to finish. There are plenty of aid stations and the support in Tromso is great, especially given the time of day! Everyone is really friendly and nothing is too much trouble for the many volunteers.

How to register

Online via the website.

Race website

https://msm.no/en/events/midnight-sun-marathon/